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Authorize Purchase of Twenty-nine Vehicles for AQMD Fleet

SYNOPSIS: 

To reduce the number of high-mileage vehicles in AQMD’s aging fleet and promote the use of dedicated CNG vehicles, staff recommends purchasing up to twenty-nine Toyota Camry dedicated CNG vehicles. After reviewing specifications of dedicated alternative fuel vehicles available through the State of California Multiple Award Schedule and those available through local dealerships, staff determined that the Toyota Camry best satisfies the AQMD’s needs in terms of driving range, cargo capacity, fuel economy, ease of handling and product availability. The Toyota Camry dedicated CNG model is available only from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc., fleet sales division at a per vehicle cost of $25,044 including sales tax.

COMMITTEE: 

Administrative, March 10, 2000, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the purchase of twenty-nine dedicated CNG Toyota Camrys and authorize the Procurement Manager to execute all documents for this purchase at an amount not to exceed $726,276.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Based upon the replacement guidelines set forth in AQMD’s Equipment Replacement Plan, twenty-nine vehicles are needed to replace high-mileage vehicles that are no longer cost effective to maintain and repair. Last year the Board approved the purchase of 34 dedicated and bi-fuel vehicles to replace sedans used by compliance and air monitoring network staff. The purchases made last year were the first replacement vehicles purchased by the AQMD since 1991. In keeping with the AQMD’s commitment to the use of clean fuels, preference was given to dedicated alternative fuel vehicles. Because the AQMD has an on-site CNG fueling facility, and because there is a network of CNG fueling facilities within the South Coast Basin, staff recommended dedicated CNG vehicles. Based upon staff review of the various dedicated CNG models available from Ford, Honda and Toyota, through the State of California Multiple Award Schedule, and through local dealerships, and based upon actual test drives of selected models, vehicle size, mileage range and current availability, the Toyota Camry was judged the model that best suited AQMD’s immediate needs. Due to a longer delivery time associated with the purchase of a comparable CNG model from Ford (Crown Victoria), staff is not proposing the purchase of these vehicles at this time. The Toyota Camry dedicated CNG model is available only from Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc., fleet sales division.

Proposal

This action is to authorize the Procurement Manager to execute a purchase order with Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., for twenty-nine Toyota Camry dedicated CNG vehicles. Total cost for all twenty-nine vehicles is estimated to be $726,276.

Resource Impacts

Included in the FY 1999-00 Budget is the sum of $731,000 for replacement of fleet vehicles.

Attachment

Model 2000 Vehicle Cost Comparison

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